Establish route, fill bottles, grab sunglasses, gloves, helmet, check psi, load up on water, check seatpost bag for pump, patch kit, lever, tube, tools.

In the AM -- gotta use the can and crap. Can't ride in the AM without doing that first. I happen to be very regular.

Gel's pre-ride? really? I only do gels on RR and long climbs and start doing that in the middle. Doing gels that early seem to burn the candle too soon.

[QUOTE=logdrum;11261886]In the AM -- gotta use the can and crap. Can't ride in the AM without doing that first. I happen to be very regular. "

Im with you ! First things first.

"Regular rides" - dress, pump up tires, throw everything I remembered in my pockets (wallet, any food, phone, Off Mosquito Clip On thing, mebbe vest, usually gloves since I don't have time to put them on). Bottles in cages, bag under saddle, blinkie, and my new pump in its new spot. I did a 2 hour ride where I had to pee before the ride. I didn't get to pee until about 45 minutes after the ride ended. You have to sacrifice sometimes.

Today I missed the group because I wasn't prepared enough. I usually have about 5 minutes to get ready, and I spent about 10 minutes. Bike was on trainer in basement, valve extenders and primary floor pump in a car that was not there, bottles were just washed, kit was in laundry room, etc.

CA or training camp rides - Leisurely breakfast (usually 1-3 servings of dinner food, sometimes over 2-3 hours of grazing), coffee. Check bike, debate what gear to bring, check weather umpteen times, re-debate what gear to bring (temp may swing 50-90-40-90-50 degrees F on a long ride), try to figure out what I really don't need, then set off at 9 or 10 or 11 AM. Try to get back before dark (CA) or within a few hours (other training camps).

I don't stretch or do anything physical before I get on the bike. Except when it's cold and my "torn and bulging disks" (according to the MRI/Doctor) start acting up in my back. Then a couple sit and twist kind of stretches will crack my back. I'm good to go then.

cdr

My pre-ride consists of drinking about 2 cups/16 ounces of a liquid, preferably water or sports drink. While drinking liquid, I stretch my whole body not just legs. I get all dressed up get my Ipod ready and helmet, lately I am starting getting a carb/energy food, my favorite at the moment are Sports Beans from JellyBelly. I put water in my bottles, Finally I put my bike computer on my bike and I go ride.

Mechanically, the day before the ride I check the deraillers make sure they are good and my brake pads and levers and of coarse I always clean off then lube my chain. I put my preferred psi amount in my tires right before I go out and ride.

On weekday mornings, I roll out of bed, throw on whichever cycling clothes are at the top of the drawer, stumble down to the garage, fill a water bottle, put on shoes, helmet, shades, gloves, and roll out the door.

Drink a glass of water, pee, Change clothes, check psi, fill bottles, go ride.

Last ride ---> check psi, is chain clean?! etc

During the week 26-28 milers begin at 5:30am.
>alarm goes off at 5am
>bathroom. #1 or #2 depending on need
>put in contacts
>put on bibs, grab jersey and socks (arm/leg warmers if needed)
>downstairs to coffee
>double check weather radar if known weather coming
>ESPN sportscenter while checking fantasy scores (baseball now, football and hockey in fall/winter/spring)
>1/2 banana or cereal if hungry
>5:24am, open garage.
>put on helmet, grab spare, CO2 and tire iron
>grab one H2) bottle
>roll out to train station to meet 2 - 4 guys. Ride 1:45 (26-27 miles)

(grab charged light in spring and fall)

----------------------

longer weekend club rides.
same, but I give myself extra time to hydrate and eat
>grab CLIF Bar, 2 large water bottles of Accelerade + one small bottle for back of jersey pocket
>apply sunscreen

Cycling clothing, Tire pressure, Ride

Put on clothes, get a cup of joe, eat a banana or such, grab a gu, air tires, turn on garmin, and go. I have water bottles done the night before. I always replace anything in the saddlebag immediately after I use it so that is never something I need to check.